Congratulations (or rather, condolences), you likely have a frozen waste pipe.
On extreme "polar vortex" nights, run a tiny trickle of water through the fixture farthest from the street. Moving water takes much longer to freeze than standing water. However, remember that if the waste pipe is frozen, this will just fill your tub.
A frozen waste pipe is a race against the clock. Act fast, use gentle heat, and never let desperation drive you to a flame thrower. Stay warm, and good luck un-gunking those pipes frozen waste pipe
There is a particular sound that strikes fear into the heart of a homeowner in mid-January. It’s not the creak of the stairs or the howl of the wind. It’s the gurgle .
While most people remember to insulate their kitchen sink supply lines, the waste pipe—or soil stack—is often forgotten. But when that 4-inch PVC pipe turns into a solid log of ice, you have a genuine bio-hazard emergency on your hands. Congratulations (or rather, condolences), you likely have a
If your waste pipe runs through an unheated garage, attic, or crawlspace, wrap it in fiberglass insulation or foam pipe sleeves.
You flush the toilet. The water rises. You wait. And wait. Instead of the satisfying swoosh of departure, you are met with a slow, ominous backflow. However, remember that if the waste pipe is
In many homes, a waste pipe freezes because cold air is blowing around the pipe. Check for holes in the siding or foundation where the pipe exits. Fill those gaps with spray foam.